DOCSLIB.ORG

Rabbi's Column

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Rabbi's Column Shabbat Services Rabbi’s Column SHABBAT Friday Evening, December 4* Hanukkah is coming! Each year we celebrate 6:05 P.M. – Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Services Hanukkah by lighting the candles and retelling December Birthday Shabbat the story, concluding with the famous sentence whose acronym is found on our dreidels: “Nes SHABBAT Saturday Morning, December 5 at 10:30 A.M. Gadol Hayah Sham; a great miracle happened there.” Of course, what the miracle was depends Torah Portion “Vayishlach” on your perspective on history – or on which version of history you choose to retell. SHABBAT Friday Evening, December 11* For us, here in the challenging year 2020, we know we could use a 6:05 P.M. – Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Services good miracle. The coronavirus pandemic has affected all of us. Some of us have been sick with COVID or have been dealing with a family Shabbat Chanukah Observance member’s illness. Some of us have been impacted fi nancially, being laid SHABBAT Saturday Morning, December 12 at 10:30 A.M. off, or furloughed. Some of us have struggled just to deal with the daily challenges of working at home, helping children attend school remotely, Torah Portion “Vayeshev” and ordering grocery deliveries. The pandemic has presented new and sometimes diffi cult challenges for all of us. SHABBAT Friday Evening, December 18* Perhaps most signifi cantly, we have learned about the challenge 6:05 P.M. – Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Services of isolation. We as human beings are essentially social and so all of the routines required for “social distancing” test us daily. Our Jewish SHABBAT Saturday Morning, December 19 at 10:30 A.M. tradition teaches us that life is lived best in community and that we have responsibility for one another. Those who need help should not be Torah Portion “Miketz” embarrassed to ask and those who can help others, even a little, should not hold back. Within our congregation, that could mean the work of our Social Action Council’s ongoing projects to feed the hungry. It could also SHABBAT Friday Evening, December 25* mean our Member Services team and fi nance department confi dentially 6:05 P.M. – Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Services helping those of our members who have fallen on hard times. It could also mean members who are fi nancially able stepping up to contribute a SHABBAT Saturday Morning, December 26 at 10:30 A.M. little extra. And it also means just reaching out to one another with a kind Torah Portion “Vayigash” gesture, a phone call or FaceTime connection, an understanding ear and a generous heart. Living a life that matters means living as an active part of a mutually caring community. If you have an economic or spiritual SHABBAT Friday Evening, January 1* need, or if you are willing to help, please do not hesitate to be in touch. And of course, in the spirit of Hanukkah, we can all pray for a miraculous 6:05 P.M. – Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Services ending to this pandemic era and a return to normal life. January Birthday Shabbat * * * * * * * SHABBAT Saturday Morning, January 2 at 10:30 A.M. I want to alert the Congregation that I will be away on Sabbatical leave Torah Portion “Vayechi” from December 22 until March 1. I am grateful to the congregation for granting me this time to refl ect and refresh and I intend to return with some good stories to tell. In my absence President Helene Levine, *Please note time President-elect Neal Gussis, and the leadership of our congregation, together with Lori Sagarin, our Director of Congregational Learning, our Director of Music, Marla Aviva Bentley, and our Director of Operations, Amber Wood, will ensure that everything continues to run smoothly in LIKRAT SHABBAT congregational life and that your needs are addressed as usual. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with them if you have any needs or concerns. We would like to belatedly thank Jon Schneider and Jane Page who made donations in honor of their November birthdays. We would like to thank Beth Sair and Vera Rubin who made donations in honor of their December birthdays. December 2020 Kislev – Tevet 5781 Volume 104 Number 6 IN THE TEMPLE FAMILY FROM THE PRESIDENT MAZEL TOV TO: In Rabbi Darren Levine’s book Positive Judaism, Peggy and Ted Fiala, on the birth of their granddaughter, and Rabbi Levine defi nes “Positive Judaism” as the pairing Helene Rowe on the birth of her great granddaughter, Tessa Jayne. of ancient wisdom and modern science to help raise well-being in the lives of individuals, communities, and ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY: the world. Tom Rath and Jim Harter, senior scientists The following Temple members are recovering from recent illness: at Gallup International, studied hundreds of thousands Scott Meyer, Nathan Fox, and Sharrel Titlebaum. We wish them a of people in over 130 countries to explore the following speedy recovery. question: Are there contributors to well-being that CONDOLENCES: transcend nationality, race, age, and religion? They We note with sorrow the passing of Rochelle Grillz”l, mother of concluded that well-being results from how people experience fi ve key Josh Grill. May her memory be for a blessing. areas in their lives: relationships, health, community, work and money. We note with sorrow the passing of Werner Lawsonz”l, father of Dina Berne. May his memory be for a blessing. I chose this book written in 2019 from Temple Beth Israel’s library. This book among many other new books, both non-fi ction and fi ction, IN MEMORIAM were given to us, from the relationship that we have developed with the Temple Beth Israel announces with profound sorrow the passing of Jewish Book Council. I found this book to be very interesting and wanted SHIRLEY SHECHTMANz”l to share just a small portion with you in this month’s From The President beloved mother of Devy Weitzman. bulletin column. May her memory be for a blessing. I would like to focus on one chapter of the book dealing with Rath B’RUCHIM HABA’IM - WELCOME! and Harter’s Five Areas of Well-Being. The fi ve areas of well-being differentiate a thriving life from one consumed with suffering and JOINING THE TBI FAMILY challenges. Overall happiness can improve with focus and attention to: Our coverage of new Temple Beth Israel members continues. We are delighted to welcome the following TBI households who have discovered Relationships: People with relationship well-being are surrounded just how friendly, supportive, and inclusive our community is. As it begins by people who encourage their development and growth, accept its second century, TBI offers a vibrant and welcoming presence in them for who they are, and treat them with respect. They deliberately Skokie, the North Shore, and beyond. spend time investing in their networks that surround them Jessica & Rob Lott Health: People with good health manage their health well. They Chicago, IL exercise regularly and as a result they feel better. They make good Children: Shuli, 5 dietary choices, which keeps their energy high throughout the day and sharpens their thinking. They get enough sleep to process what Joining TBI represents a “homecoming” for Jessica (Shimberg) Lott. She grew up in they have learned the day before and to get a good start on the next Evanston, IL and attended and participated day. fully in the Temple from a young age. Jessica Community: People with high community well-being feel safe and is the daughter/step daughter of members, secure where they live and participate in their local community. They Jonathan Shimberg & Linda Crohn; Judy & Bob Kemp; sister/sister-in- take pride in their community and feel that it is headed in the right law of Joanna & Derek Lewis; aunt to their children, Naomi, Emilia and Eli; niece of Rabbi Michael & Jody Weinberg and Rob Weinberg & Joy direction. This often results in their wanting to give back and make a Wasserman. lasting contribution to society. Jessica, her husband, Rob and their young daughter, Shuli relocated Work: People with high work well-being wake up every morning with to the Chicago area after spending the past few years working and something to look forward to doing each day. They do work that fi ts residing in metro Washington, D.C. They longed to return here to be their strengths and interests. They have a deep purpose in life and closer to family and friends. plan to attain their goals. In most cases, they have a leader who motivates them and makes them enthusiastic about the future. First Impressions: “I have many wonderful memories from my years as a TBI student and working as the Program and Youth Director. Money: People with high fi nancial well-being manage their personal Returning here enables us to give our daughter, Shuli, a terrifi c Jewish fi nances well and spend their money wisely. They buy experiences education and benefi t directly from TBI’s religious school.” Jessica instead of just material possessions, and they give to others instead acknowledged. of always spending on themselves. At a basic level, they are satisfi ed Getting to Know You: Jessica coordinated social justice programs for with their overall standard of living. the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs in Chicago earlier in her career. She loves to teach and has done so with a range of audiences from toddlers Rabbi Levine goes on to explore if well-being is found in these fi ve to seniors, at synagogues and summer camps, on trips to Israel, interfaith areas, how can we increase well-being in these fi ve areas? There is so dialogue groups, and on campuses.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Adas Israel Congregation
    Adas Israel Congregation December/Kislev–Tevet Highlights: ChronicleZionism 4.0: The Future Relationship between Israel and World Jewry 3 Combined Community Shabbat Service 3 Happy Hanukkah 5 December MakomDC 7 Ma Tovu: Sharon Blumenthal Cohen & Dan Cohen 20 Scenes From This Year’s Anne Frank House Mini-Walk 21 Chronicle • December 2016 • 1 The Chronicle Is Supported in Part by the Ethel and Nat Popick Endowment Fund clergycorner From the President By Debby Joseph Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt “Our Rabbis taught: The mitzvah of Hanukkah is for a person to light (the candles) for his household; the zealous [kindle] a light for each member [of the household]; and the extremely zealous, Beit Shammai maintains: On the first day eight lights are lit and thereafter they are gradually reduced; but Beit Hillel says: On the first day one is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased.” Talmud Bavli, Shabbat 21b Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa overlap As we approach the holiday of Hanukkah it is helpful to remember the this year—what an opportunity to create different traditions of lighting the hanukkiyah/ot in each household. The a season of good will and light for all of us. Talmud teaches us that it is enough for one to light a candle each night of Certainly as a country, we need to find our Hanukkah, but the more fervent among us have each family member of the common values and reunite. As Americans household light his or her own candles each night. Since we follow the way and Jews, we share a belief in the example of Beit Hillel, each night we increase the number of candles we light, thereby we serve for the nations of the world.
    [Show full text]
  • HIV Numbers Put Disease in Perspective
    O CANADA PAGE 32 WINDY CITY THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 SEPT. 29, 2010 TIMES VOL 25, NO. 52 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com th 25ANNIVERSARY ROCKFORD PROTEST PAGE 11 ISSUE This expanded issue of Windy City Times features a special retrospective section with essays by Tracy Baim, Rex Wockner and Jorjet Harper; feature articles by Richard Knight, Jr., Ross Forman and David Byrne; as well as intriguing photos of Chicago’s LGBT past and actual covers from the first two years of Windy City Times. SEXUAL RENEGADE PAGE 28 pick it up take it home tSeptember 29, 2010 Cazwell at Hydrate. nightspots page 8 All the Lovers Ashley Morgan’s surprise Kylie performance at The Call. page 15 HIV numbers put disease in perspective BY SAMUEL WORLEY just a small number of people diagnosed with wide total of more than 279,000 MSM dead since HIV or AIDS, but also a time when people would the beginning of the epidemic. In Chicago, more than half of HIV-infected be diagnosed and sometimes die just a short Infection rates have stark racial implications, men who have sex with men do not know they time later. too. In Chicago, a study released last year found are infected, according to a report released last This new report serves as another difficult re- that Black MSM were three times more likely to week by the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- ality faced by HIV/AIDS advocates and service be infected with HIV than white MSM, and two- vention.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report Thursday, May 16, 2019
    Annual Report Thursday, May 16, 2019 Table of Contents Opening Prayer ....................................................................................................................4 Agenda .................................................................................................................................4 Senior Rabbi’s Report .........................................................................................................5 President’s Report ............................................................................................................ 11 Treasurer’s Report and Budget ....................................................................................... 14 BHS New Heights Capital Campaign............................................................................... 17 Nominating Committee .................................................................................................... 18 General Donations ........................................................................................................... 19 Tribute Gifts ...................................................................................................................... 24 High Holy Days Schedule ................................................................................................. 28 Executive Director’s Report ............................................................................................. 29 Membership Commitments 2019-20 ............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sport-Scan Daily Brief
    SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 7/31/2021 Boston Bruins Florida Panthers 1218840 Top picks John Beecher and Mason Lohrei highlight roster 1218872 Panthers follow up draft with with busy week of signings for Bruins’ development camp this week 1218873 Florida Panthers sign Zac Dalpe, add forward depth 1218841 David Krejci’s departure for the Czech Republic leaves a 1218874 ‘He’s definitely unique’: Spencer Knight marches to his gaping hole for Bruins at No. 2 center own drum en route to NHL stardom 1218842 David Krejci is leaving the Bruins to play back home in the Czech Republic Los Angeles Kings 1218843 David Krejci leaving Bruins to play in native Czech 1218875 Kings sign forward Lias Andersson to 1-year contract Republic extension 1218844 Krug, Bergeron react to David Krejci leaving Bruins 1218876 LA Kings re-sign forward Lias Andersson to one-year, 1218845 Bean: Bruins sure were busy, but are they actually better? two-way contract, $874,125 AAV 1218846 Krejci Moves On From Boston Bruins, Heads Home To Czech Montreal Canadiens 1218847 David Krejci says goodbye, and what that means for the 1218877 Mathieu Perreault gains fresh start with Canadiens Bruins’ window 1218878 Stu Cowan: Loss of key players could loom large for Canadiens Buffalo Sabres 1218879 Canadiens' Paul Byron out for five months after hip 1218848 Sabres captain Jack Eichel's agents say they thought surgery team doctors approved surgery 1218880 Corey Perry will continue his chase for a second Stanley 1218849 Sabres re-sign Rasmus Asplund to two-year deal, also Cup in Tampa sign forward Ryan MacInnis 1218881 Canadiens Notebook: Habs hire Éric Raymond as goalie 1218850 Could the Tre White Goalie Academy help the Sabres and coach 'Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Pandemic Passover 2.0 Answer to This Question
    Food for homeless – page 2 Challah for survivors – page 3 Mikvah Shoshana never closed – page 8 Moving Rabbis – page 10 March 17, 2021 / Nisan 4, 5781 Volume 56, Issue 7 See Marking one year Passover of pandemic life Events March 16, 2020, marks the day that our schools and buildings closed last year, and our lives were and drastically changed by the reality of COVID-19 reaching Oregon. As Resources the soundtrack of the musical “Rent” put it: ~ pages Congregation Beth Israel clergy meet via Zoom using “525,600 minutes, how 6-7 CBI Passover Zoom backgrounds, a collection of which do you measure a year?” can be downloaded at bethisrael-pdx.org/passover. Living according to the Jewish calendar provides us with one Pandemic Passover 2.0 answer to this question. BY DEBORAH MOON who live far away. We measure our year by Passover will be the first major Congregation Shaarie Torah Exec- completing the full cycle Jewish holiday that will be celebrated utive Director Jemi Kostiner Mansfield of holidays and Jewish for the second time under pandemic noticed the same advantage: “Families rituals. Time and our restrictions. and friends from out of town can come need for our community Since Pesach is traditionally home- together on a virtual platform, people and these rituals haven’t stopped in this year, even based, it is perhaps the easiest Jewish who normally wouldn’t be around the though so many of our usual ways of marking these holiday to adapt to our new landscape. seder table.” holy moments have been interrupted.
    [Show full text]
  • MON-C-12607 Media Guide
    www.monroecollegemustangs.com MONROE COLLEGE MUSTANGS QUICK FACTS about the monroe mustangs The Monroe College Athletic Department fields teams in fourteen sports: baseball, men's Campus Locations basketball, women's basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men's and women’s soccer, Bronx, NY football, softball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and women's volleyball. New Rochelle, NY All Monroe teams are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association and Castries, St. Lucia participate in NJCAA Region XV. Monroe Mustangs men’s basketball, football, men’s and Founded: 1933 women’s soccer, and baseball and women’s volleyball are Division I programs as are all of the track Enrollment: 7,250 and field and cross country teams. Monroe women’s basketball and softball compete in Division II. President BASEBALL: Launched in 2005, Mustang baseball has established itself as a powerhouse. In 2006, they played in the playoffs Stephen J. Jerome in just their second season and in 2007 they advanced to the first round of the Region XV playoffs. 2008 was a turning point Athletic Director as they finished third in the Regional tournament winning the first of their two consecutive Region XV championships. Bert Shillingford Mustangs have gone on to play in Division I and II, as well as the ACBL, an elite summer league. Monroe baseball players come Sports Development and from the Caribbean, Canada, and elsewhere. There is also a strong local contingent. Former Monroe players have gone on to Information play in the NCAA and signed with Major League teams: the Oakland A’s, Toronto Blue Jays, The LA Dodgers, and Arizona Gary Axelbank Diamondbacks.
    [Show full text]
  • Living Judaism: an Introduction to Jewish Belief and Practice Rabbi Adam Rubin, Ph.D
    Living Judaism: An Introduction to Jewish Belief and Practice Rabbi Adam Rubin, Ph.D. – Beth Tikvah Congregation Syllabus 5779 (2018‐19) “I am a Jew because...” Edmund Fleg (France, 1874‐1963) I am a Jew because Judaism demands no abdication of the mind. I am a Jew because Judaism asks every possible sacrifice of my life. I am a Jew because Wherever there are tears and suffering the Jew weeps. I am a Jew because Whenever the cry of despair is heard the Jew hopes. I am a Jew because The message of Judaism is the oldest and the newest. I am a Jew because The promise of Judaism is a universal promise. I am a Jew because For the Jew, the world is not finished; human beings will complete it. I am a Jew because For the Jew, humanity is not finished; we are still creating humanity. I am a Jew because Judaism places human dignity above all things, even Judaism itself. I am a Jew because Judaism places human dignity within the oneness of God. Rabbi Adam Rubin 604‐306‐1194 [email protected] B’ruchim haba’im! Welcome to a year of “Living Judaism.” As a community of learners and as individuals we are setting out on a journey of discovery that will involve two important characteristics of Judaism, joy and wrestling. During this journey we will explore the depth and richness of the Jewish Living Judaism 5779 (2018-2019) Syllabus Page 1 of 7 way of life, open our minds and spirits to the traditions that have been passed down, and honour those traditions with our hard questions and creative responses to them.
    [Show full text]
  • The Transgender-Industrial Complex
    The Transgender-Industrial Complex THE TRANSGENDER– INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX Scott Howard Antelope Hill Publishing Copyright © 2020 Scott Howard First printing 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, besides select portions for quotation, without the consent of its author. Cover art by sswifty Edited by Margaret Bauer The author can be contacted at [email protected] Twitter: @HottScottHoward The publisher can be contacted at Antelopehillpublishing.com Paperback ISBN: 978-1-953730-41-1 ebook ISBN: 978-1-953730-42-8 “It’s the rush that the cockroaches get at the end of the world.” -Every Time I Die, “Ebolarama” Contents Introduction 1. All My Friends Are Going Trans 2. The Gaslight Anthem 3. Sex (Education) as a Weapon 4. Drag Me to Hell 5. The She-Male Gaze 6. What’s Love Got to Do With It? 7. Climate of Queer 8. Transforming Our World 9. Case Studies: Ireland and South Africa 10. Networks and Frameworks 11. Boas Constrictor 12. The Emperor’s New Penis 13. TERF Wars 14. Case Study: Cruel Britannia 15. Men Are From Mars, Women Have a Penis 16. Transgender, Inc. 17. Gross Domestic Products 18. Trans America: World Police 19. 50 Shades of Gay, Starring the United Nations Conclusion Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Introduction “Men who get their periods are men. Men who get pregnant and give birth are men.” The official American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Twitter account November 19th, 2019 At this point, it is safe to say that we are through the looking glass. The volume at which all things “trans”
    [Show full text]
  • College Council & Attachments
    COLLEGE COUNCIL AGENDA & ATTACHMENTS MARCH 11, 2015 1 JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE The City University of New York The College Council March 11, 2015 1:40 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. 9.64NB I. Adoption of the Agenda II. Minutes of the February 11, 2015 College Council (attachment A), Pg. 2 III. Proposals from the Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee (attachments B1-B2) – Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Scott Stoddart New Courses B1. AFR 2XX (204) Religion, Terrorism and Violence in the Africana World (LP), Pg. 5 B2. SOC 2XX (243) Sociology of Sexualities, Pg. 18 IV. Proposal from the Interdisciplinary Studies Program (attachment C) – Professor Richard Haw C. Proposal to Form a Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Pg. 33 V. New Business VI. Administrative Announcements – President Jeremy Travis VII. Announcements from the Faculty Senate – President Karen Kaplowitz VIII. Announcements from the Student Council – President Shereef Hassan 2 A JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE The City University of New York MINUTES OF THE COLLEGE COUNCIL Wednesday, February 11, 2015 The College Council held its fifth meeting of the 2014-2015 academic year on Wednesday, February 11, 2015. The meeting was called to order at 1:50 p.m. and the following members were present: Barna Akkas, Schevaletta Alford, Warren Benton, Adam Berlin, Jane P. Bowers, Claudia Calirman, Anthony Carpi, James Cauthen, Katarzyna Celinska, Marsha Clowers, Angelique Corthals, Sylvia Dapia, Sandrine Dikambi, Artem Domashevskiy, Janice Dunham,
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish-And-Asian-Pacific-Heritage
    In May 2021, We celebrated Jewish American and Asian American Heritage! Click the buttons to the right to explore more about Jewish American and Asian Pacific American history. Today, America is home to around 7 million Jewish Americans. Click the buttons below for more! Click the button below to return to the main menu Learn Jewish Americans may identify as Jewish based on religion, ethnic upbringing, or both. The Jewish population in America is diverse and includes all races and ethnicities. Did you know? • Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, one of the most famous Jewish athletes in American sports, made national headlines when he refused to pitch in the first game of the 1965 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur. • Hanukkah is not the most popular holiday in Jewish heritage. Passover is the most celebrated of all Jewish holidays with more than 70% of Jewish Americans taking part in a seder, its ritual meal. Hanukkah may be the best known Jewish holiday in the United States. But despite its popularity in the U.S., Hanukkah is ranked one of Judaism’s minor festivals, and nowhere else does it garner such attention. The holiday is mostly a domestic celebration, although special holiday prayers also expand synagogue worship. Explore Hanukkah The Menorah Hanukkah may be the most well The Hanukkah menorah (or chanukiah) is known Jewish holiday in the United a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the States. But despite its popularity in eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, as opposed the U.S., Hanukkah is ranked one to the seven-branched menorah used in of Judaism’s minor festivals, and the ancient Temple or as a symbol.
    [Show full text]
  • Celebrating Hanukkah
    Celebrating Hanukkah Hanukkah Means Dedication The eight-day festival of Hanukkah is celebrated beginning on the 25 of Kislev, a month on the lunar Hebrew calendar that usually falls between the end of November and the end of December on the solar standard calendar. Hanukkah means “dedication,” and the holiday commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the defeat of the Syrian- Greeks in 165 BC. The Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus IV tried to force the Greek culture and religion upon the Jewish people under his rule. In 168 BC, he declared that the Temple holy to the Jews would be used for the worship of the god Zeus. Soon after, he completely outlawed Judaism and made its practice punishable by death. Mattathias, the High Priest in the Temple, and his sons refused to give up their religion and led a revolt against the Greeks. Mattathias, his family, and those who joined them were called Maccabees (MAC-ah-bees) because Yahuda, Mattathias’ oldest son, was a powerful warrior nicknamed Ha’Maccabee (Ha-MAC-ah-bee), ancient Hebrew for “the Hammer.” The Miracle of the Oil Although they were outnumbered, the Maccabees defeated the Greeks after several years of fighting and reclaimed the Temple. As they prepared to rededicate their defiled Temple, the Jews found only enough pure oil to light the Eternal Light for one day. The oil miraculously lasted for eight days, allowing time for more oil to be pressed from olives and purified for use. The hanukkiyah (ha-NOO-kee-yuh) is a special menorah used only during Hanukkah.
    [Show full text]
  • Media Release
    MEDIA RELEASE The peak body of the international Jewish LGBT+ community is to hold its World Congress in Sydney for the first time in March 2019, bringing a global focus to Sydney and providing a space for ideas, networking and good fun. Keynote speaker - joining a host of local and international presenters - is Australia’s newly-elected Independent Member of Parliament, DR KERRYN PHELPS. Dr Phelps (pictured below, right) and her partner celebrated the first same-sex marriage to take place at Sydney’s Emanuel Synagogue – which is hosting the Congress - after Australia’s historic YES vote in 2017. World Congress - Keshet Ga’avah, the worldwide voice of Jews of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, will bring delegates from the United States, France, Holland, Italy, Latin America, New Zealand, Israel and around the globe. The Congress is hosted by Dayenu – Sydney’s Jewish LGBT+ group, and will take place at the Emanuel Synagogue, Woollahra from 21 to 24 March. The Congress theme “Kol Koleinu” (All Our Voices) comes from the title of the recently published World Congress book, reflecting its vision to create a space where all voices can be heard, dialogue can emerge, and insight and understanding can be nourished. The four-day conference features a host of international speakers addressing Jewish LGBT+ issues, panel discussions, a tour of the Sydney Jewish Museum, entertainment, a harbour cruise and so much more. The interface between Jewish and LGBT+ cultures is a complex one - minorities within minorities. Conference convener, Dayenu’s Kim Gotlieb said the Sydney community was thrilled to have attracted leading facilitators to present sessions on ways to get along with others with more understanding.
    [Show full text]